Holding out for a natural labour?

[motherchuckinhen16]

Hi
Is there anyone else out there who is overdue and waiting for labour to start naturally?
I'm 41 + 5 today and so far have declined being induced as both myself and baby doing fine.
I had monitoring today and they said everything looked fine.
I'm now wondering if I should give myself a cut off date for waiting for a natural labour as it seems there is a slightly greater risk of stillbirth after 42 weeks pregnancy. I'm 42 weeks on Wednesday and will go in for more monitoring and a scan if nothing happens before then. How much longer should I hold on for? My preference is for a natural labour over being induced but I don't want to wait for too long 😣

It's a tough one. Personally I'd be terrified of my placenta failing so would will comply with the recommendation here which is to induce at 41+5.
I hope things get moving for you soon.

Not all induction experiences are bad - it seems we only hear of the bad ones! I was induced at 39+3, I needed only one pessary out of a possible 3 before I was dilated enough for my waters to be broken; once my waters were broken I went straight into full blown active labour and didn't need the hormone drip or other interventions. So I wouldn't let the assumption that induction will go badly put you off!

Thanks for your replies. I have had a chat with my DH and have decided now to ask the hospital if they can induce on Thursday 42+1 if baby still hasn't come. That way we have a definite cut off point if we need it and all being well a baby by Friday (hopefully sooner though) 😁

I'm 40 + 3.. I have a midwife appointment tomorrow, and she has offered to do a sweep. I had a check this morning and couldn't even find my cervix it's so high up so have been a bit disheartened today. I think I've had the beginning of what I believe to be my plug coming away this evening though, so I'm hoping cervix might be in a more favourable position tomorrow. Will only opt to go ahead with the sweep if I'm already reasonably dilated, but I really don't want to go through an induction if it gets to that point, so I think personally I will opt to be monitored instead and let baby come in his own time so long as everything looks ok. Hope yours puts in an appearance before you get to induction, but if not baby will be with you soon anyway! 😊 Good luck!!

I held out after being 40+10. I refused induction and had a failed sweep, I was due to go into hospital for monitoring and a meeting with a consultant but that day I went but into labour and 2 hours later my son was here! He is 3 weeks now and I'm quite glad i was 10 days over as I got some sleep!

Same as oyster - amniotic fluid levels cam drop and the placenta might not function as well.. I'd rather be induced than risk any complications tbh.

Both mine went to 42+3 because no matter how much they tell you being overdue is a risk you're not an emergency just for being late unless the baby is distressed. Dd1 was forceps after induction, dd2 I did eventually go into proper labour but she ended up an emcs.

Having been induced in some way in all three of my labours, one in tragic circumstances, I'd say just be induced. I've had the drip, my waters broken and gel / pessary.

The way baby gets here isn't important in the long run. A baby here in your arms safely is what matters. I'm being induced at the earliest possible moment this time and I can't wait. Good luck xxx